Tag Archives: IMP Automation

FLSmidth taking mineral sampling and lab automation to new heights

As ore grades continue to decline in the mining space, FLSmidth says its expertise in mineral sampling and laboratory automation is becoming increasingly valuable to mines.

“The more you understand about the characteristics of the ore entering your process plant, the better you can treat it,” Martin Matthysen, Director, SPA (sampling, preparation and analysis), Sub Saharan African and Middle East at FLSmidth, said. “But this needs technology that can sample high volumes, maintain rapid turnaround times and deliver quality results.”

Only then can plant operators respond to laboratory data in real time, which is one of the keys to effective plant optimisation. With over 30 years of experience, FLSmidth has been a pioneer in laboratory systems integration, as well as driving automation in the laboratory environment, it says.

“Our particular expertise in laboratory automation is now recognised worldwide,” Matthysen said. “This is why we have supplied 95% of all automated laboratories to the global mining industry constructed over the past dozen years or so.”

This automation expertise was bolstered last year when the company completed the acquisition of IMP Automation Group, a global leader in automated laboratory solutions for the mining industry. Included in the transaction was IMP’s 50% share in a joint venture which provides complete operations and maintenance-based solutions for automated labs, the company said.

FLSmidth’s offerings address all stages of a mines’ sampling and analysis requirements. It designs solutions for exploration and ore characterisation, grade control, process plants and port shipment. The highest quality equipment is sourced and applied to a laboratory solution to achieve accurate sampling, effective sample preparation and detailed sample analysis, the company says.

Each laboratory design is unique, Matthysen says, as it must suit each customer’s operating conditions and strategic goals. The design process, therefore, demands close collaboration with the customer and a detailed examination of mined material and process demands. This ensures the laboratory generates exactly the type of analytical data the plant operators require.

“With our world-class mineral research and testing facilities, we are constantly pioneering innovations that add value to customers,” he says. “Our automated solutions also offer consistency and traceability, while improving ergonomics and eliminating hazards to laboratory personnel.”

Among the company’s innovations has been an environmentally friendly methodology that replaces traditional wet chemistry. With no acid being used to dissolve platinum ore, for instance, the process produces no toxic waste – dramatically reducing the impact on the environment, according to FLSmidth.

“We are accredited in terms of international quality standards, and work strictly to our customers’ stringent specifications regarding health, safety and environment,” Matthysen says. “Our expertise gives customers the confidence not only to procure laboratories from us, but increasingly to contract us to maintain and operate those facilities on their behalf.”

FLSmidth to challenge sampling status quo following IMP Automation buy

FLSmidth completed the acquisition of IMP Automation earlier this year, creating, the company says, a market-leading portfolio in mineral sampling and laboratory automation.

The finalisation of the acquisition (the deal was first announced in February) means customers can immediately benefit from a complete portfolio of IMP’s laboratory automation solutions in combination with FLSmidth’s global footprint and experience in automated sampling solutions, FLSmidth says.

The Denmark-headquartered company says mine sites, ports and laboratories are increasingly seeing the benefits of automation. “By examining conventional processes, we help you design, construct and implement innovative sampling and laboratory solutions from grassroots exploration to final product,” the company added.

Tina Knudsen, General Manager, Sampling, Preparation and Analysis – Mining at FLSmidth, said integrating the companies’ collective experience in sampling and automation and industry process knowledge, will allow the company to “continue to challenge conventional sample process technologies and deliver innovative and reliable sampling and analytical solutions”.

Knudsen added: “We have united our expertise under the FLSmidth name to create an even stronger portfolio of mineral laboratory automation solutions. Together, we are well positioned to create cutting-edge, competitive solutions for mining applications.”

FLSmidth completes laboratory mining solutions line with IMP Automation Group buy

FLSmidth says it has completed its portfolio of automated laboratory solutions for the mining industry with the takeover of IMP Automation Group.

The market for automated laboratories is growing due to a combination of high exploration activity and an increased focus on productivity, automation and digitalisation, according to FLSmidth.

“IMP is the global leader in automated laboratory solutions for the mining industry and has a strong foothold in Australia and South Africa. Its solutions complement the products FLSmidth offers for quality control and optimisation for the mining process,” the company said.

The acquisition includes more than 130 IMP employees, including the Managing Director, Boyne Hohenstein.

Hohenstein said: “In FLSmidth, we have found a partner with the right global sales network to take us to the next level. For years, we have combined profound laboratory process knowledge with automation skills and developed novel and innovative solutions. I am very excited that we now can reach a global audience with our offerings and solutions.”

Manfred Schaffer, President Mining for FLSmidth, said: “Knowing your ore characteristics from the mine and all the way through the processing plant is of increasing importance in mining as declining ore grades make it necessary to increase productivity by process optimisation. We see a strong match between some of our digital initiatives in FLSmidth and IMP’s automation solutions that will help miners get better data on their ore and assist in optimising the processing.”

Included in the transaction is IMP’s 50% share in a joint venture, which provides complete operations and maintenance-based solutions for automated labs.

The acquired parts of IMP Automation Group, including the JV, generated revenues in excess of DKK250 million ($38 million) in 2018, with the acquisition expected to be accretive to FLSmidth Group margins.

The takeover is subject to customary closing conditions and closing is expected in the June quarter.

IMP says it works with like-minded customers to provide innovative robotics and automation solutions from sampling to analysis that improve ergonomics, health and safety for laboratory operators, improve integrity, quality and precision of analytical data and improve efficiencies.

It designs and supplies manual, semi- and fully-automated robotic sample preparation and process control laboratories, turnkey sampling systems and laboratories for mining, metallurgical, cement, non-ferrous industry and steel plants.

Its customers include Anglo American Platinum, Freeport McMoRan, BHP and Rio Tinto